It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – By Marilyn & Jeremy Pritchard
Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – December 2022
On the Holy night of December 25, a Child is born, to us a son is given…. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is the Savior Jesus Christ the King, was born to Joseph & Mary in a stable in Bethlehem. This day is celebrated and commemorated as Christmas Day and cities around the world are aglow with colourful lights and decorations for Christmas. This religious event has now become highly commercialised; shops are adorned with tinsel decorations, shelves full of toys and various types and sizes of Christmas trees are displayed as early as October and November. Shops will aim at making the most of the festive season competing for a share of shoppers who tend to set record breaking sales each year. Australians are forecast to spend $63.9 Billion in the pre-Christmas sales period for 2022 (Source SCN).
Christmas is also the season for annual holidays and a happy & enjoyable time is had by everyone.
So what really is the main essence of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the salvation He achieved through His death and resurrection and what do Christians do to celebrate this day?
Churches have special masses at midnight on Christmas day and also throughout the day. Churches are crowded as families reunite from near and far and come together to celebrate the event and worship together. Christmas
mass is very special and is an integral part of the Christmas celebrations by Christians. The singing of Christmas carols by a choir joined by the congregation is something glorious to behold. Here we feel the true essence of the meaning of Christmas making us aware that the birth of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.
At homes children awaken early on Christmas morn to open gifts left under the Christmas tree by Santa Clause.
In my younger days in Sri Lanka (in the 50’s & 60’s), we looked forward to having Christmas cake, Kraft tin cheese and cream crackers, eggs and bacon, Lingus sausages, ham, breudher and milk wine just to name a few of the delightful foods enjoyed on that special day of the year. We lived out of Colombo and my parents would prepare sweet and savory finger-food and together with my brother and sister, we would take a plate of this food to all
the neighbourhood friends on Christmas day. We were very quick to give out the plate and return for the next as the neighbours would slip a packet of fire crackers or money (Rs 2.00) as a gift under the tea cloth covering the plate … who would collect the most? These were wonderful times of giving and sharing.
At this special time of families and friends getting together over Christmas breakfast, Christmas lunch or Christmas dinner, gifts are exchanged. It is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and thank the Lord for all the blessings he has given us and remember those who are less privileged and cannot join in the celebrations. Love is the true meaning of Christmas so let us remember the poor and vulnerable and lend them a helping hand so that they too can experience happiness and the true meaning of Christmas. May the Infant Jesus fill you with His Peace, Love & Joy.
So to all the readers, have yourself a very merry Christmas and may God bless you.
Marilyn & Jeremy Pritchard
